Hippogriffs
Hermione was strolling through the gardens when she heard quiet footsteps come up behind her. She turned suddenly, seeing Draco staring at her with wide eyes. She pressed her hand to her chest, attempting to calm her frantic heart.
“Sorry, did I startle you?”
“A bit.” She huffed a laugh, turning back towards the hedges of the maze, running her fingers along the greenery. “What are you doing?”
“You weren’t inside for lunch, mother sent me to fetch you.” He was strolling alongside her now, his hands clasped behind his back with an aristocratic air about him. “What are you doing out here anyways? We were all playing Quidditch earlier.”
“I’m aware, I just have never been too fond of it, the idea of twirling around on brooms terrifies me.”
“Really? You always come to Potters games.”
Hermione smiled. “Actually, I only ever go to Slytherin vs. Gryffindor games if you didn’t notice. I’m always worried that you two might kill each other on the field.”
“Ah. yes that’s probably smart.” She hummed in response, stopping in front of a rose bush as she bent to smell it. Draco stood next to her, his fingers brushing across another flower’s petals. “I never knew that you didn’t like heights.”
“Mmm..not much of a fan. Although, I never really got higher than a feet or two off the ground last time. I don’t like not to be in control of things and the idea of falling to my death is a dealbreaker for me.”
Draco snorted. “Well, that makes sense.”
“Which part?”
“Both.” She swatted him, turning to head back to the manor and he dodged her, smiling. “So you’ve never been on a broom with somebody before?”
“Gods no. I don’t think that I would trust somebody enough for that. Bloody terrifying. Flying is up there with Basilisk eyes.” Hermione saw him wince, staring at his shoes. “Sorry, sorry. Horrid taste in jokes.”
“A tad.” She shrugged, tipping her head up towards the warmth of the sun. “All of us had just thought that you weren’t going to wake up again.”
“Well, that was the point wasn’t it? To rid the school of the filth. I guess the Basilisk got close to doing that.” She brushed her fingers along the vines that were tangled around the columns of the gazebo. Draco was frozen outside as she stepped into it, her fingers gliding a path along the wood. “It was what you told Greg and Vince you wanted, wasn’t it?”
She didn’t look at him, afraid that she might see the answer in his eyes. It would hurt her worse than hearing it. “I didn’t say that because I believed it…well..I used to. But, I don’t know. I said those things because they were what I was told, except since the minute I met you I've been trying to come up with any excuse that I could to verify what my father always said was right. But you…you’re incredible, Hermione.” He said her name like a whisper and she closed her eyes. He was far more eloquent than she was at such a young age. “You’re absolutely brilliant and there isn’t a day that goes by that you don’t prove that. That you don’t prove how bloody terrifying you are.”
Hermione still didn’t look at him, instead inspected the small white flowers that were blossoming on the vines that clung to the wood. “I’m sorry that you believed I ever had to prove myself at all.”
It was silent for a moment, and she heard him sigh. “You’re right. I meant what I said that day in the library.”
She turned then, meeting his gray eyes, and they were piercing into her. He was a little bit taller than he was last year, his blonde hair smoothed back the way that she knew his father preferred. He still held himself like a Malfoy heir and Hermione couldn’t deny that he looked rather cute when he did it. They both were far too wise for the age that they were.
“I meant what I said when I told you to prove it to me.”
He nodded once, tipping his chin at her. “I know.”
“Good.” They stared at each other for a moment before they walked back towards the house in silence.
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Pansy, Hermione and Daphne were shrieking on the bed with laughter and horror as the snapping book darted underneath the bed. “Bloody hell! Is that thing possessed!”
“It might be.” Daphne was peering over the edge, clinging to her long hair in fear of the book darting out and grabbing it.
Pansy hadn't moved from the center of the bed and was glaring at the floor with a vengeance. “I’m not about to get eaten by a damn book.”
“Agreed.” It was simple and Hermione rolled her eyes.
“Fine, how about this. You two make a run for the door and I’ll jump on it, maybe that will teach it to go chasing after us.”
“What! What if you’re not fast enough or miss? Then that thing will be chasing us through the room again!” Pansy now was rolling her eyes at Daphne who was shrieking next to her.
“I have a better idea.” Hermione watched as Pansy chucked a pillow across the room, and a second later the book was darting from under the bed, scraps of paper flinging all over the floor as it opened and closed it’s mouth. Hermione squealed and jumped from the bed, landing with a thud onto the monster book that let out a sad noise underneath her feet.
Then she threw her arms up in victory as the girls cheered her name and the boys burst through the door staring at them as though they were mad.
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Lucius dropped the paper onto the table with a sneer and Hermione flicked her eyes towards it.
Sirius Black Escaped From Azkhaban
“Sirius Black? Who’s that?” Hermione watched Narcissa freeze, who had just gotten up to leave the room. Squaring her shoulders, she turned around carefully.
“My cousin, dear.”
Hermione raised her eyebrow. “And should we be concerned?”
“No, Hermione. You have nothing to be concerned about.” She gave her a tight smile and she glided from the room.
Lucius raised an eyebrow at her. “With the company you keep, I would be concerned.”
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Hermione strolled through Diagon Alley with Draco, Pansy, Blaise, Theo and Daphne. The girls were supposed to break off and go with Narcissa for dress fittings–although Hermione wasn’t sure why, considering she had barely gotten through the dresses that Narcissa purchased the last time. She had learned that there was no arguing with Narcissa, and from the state of her closet she found that it was ridiculously true. Pansy of course thought that there were never enough clothes. Daphne’s mother owned a boutique so her opinion was out of the question. Draco, Blaise and Theo were staring at a shop that sold brooms and Hermione wrinkled her nose.
“Alright, boys. Come along. You’re going to have to either wait while the girls and I get new robes or you can go to the Broom Shop and wait there until we’re finished.” Hermione wasn’t sure why she had asked the boys that in the first place because they were already entering said store when she told them their options. Hermione on the other hand, wished that she could go and look at brooms over being poked and prodded again. That was a thought that she would never share though. Whether or not she enjoyed it was out of the question, what she did enjoy was time with Narcissa.
She gave her a sense of comfort that she had never gotten, and she wondered if in another life, her mother would be something like Narcissa. Kind, patient, doting, regal, loyal, intelligent–everything that she aspired to be and more. Hermione spun, wearing a light blue dress that she actually quite liked the color of. Narcissa smiled, made a comment about the fabric that Hermione didn’t understand and she lifted her head towards the front of the building while they fussed over her dress.
Her eyes caught sight of a familiar redhead in front of the Leaky Cauldron and she wondered if Harry was with the Weasley brood. “Narcissa? Can I run over to the Leaky Cauldron? I believe that I just saw somebody that I know and want to say hello.”
Narcissa eyed her, then turned to Pansy who was exiting the dressing rooms in a purple dress. “Yes dear, that’s alright. Grab one of the boys to go with you please.”
Hermione nodded and she ran to change before darting over to the Leaky Cauldron. Bursting in, she found Ron sitting next to Harry, showing him newspaper clipping. Hermione rolled her eyes, she knew exactly which paper it was–Lucius had plenty to say about the Weasley’s and their Egypt trip. Decidedly saying that they could have gotten their children something and instead spent the money going on a vacation. Hermione slightly agreed. Harry lifted his head towards the door, and he brightened when he saw her.
“Hermione!” She smiled, rushing across the building as he wrapped her in a hug. When she pulled away she was surprisingly pulled into a hug by Ron and she was too startled to deny it, patting him lightly on the shoulder as she pulled away. “What are you doing here?”
“I was shopping for dresses.”
“Dresses? What do you need dresses for?” Ron looked at her strangely, his gaze running over her face.
“Nevermind that, what are you doing here?”
Harry smirked at her, his green eyes bright. “I blew up my aunt Petunia.”
“I-I’m sorry, you did what?”
“Not like that Hermione! Almost like a…like a balloon. I didn’t mean to, it just happened. You know how my family is.” Hermione winced, because she did in fact know how his family was. “Anyways, I left the house and came here. Ron just showed up as well.”
“You could have gotten expelled, Harry!”
Harry snorted, staring at her. “I could have gotten arrested, Hermione. I used underage magic outside of school and in front of Muggles. She floated away and got stuck in a bloody chimney. They should have left her there, she’s a dreadful woman.”
Hermione had never heard him talk like that and swatted him on the arm. “Harry!” She couldn’t help the laugh that burst from her lips when she imagined somebody floating away like a balloon. They sat down, and talked about their summers. Hermione listened in horror like she always did when she heard Harry talk about his home life. Ron on the other hand wouldn’t shut up about his trip to Egypt, which had the twins snickering as they snatched the paper from his hands.
She was getting ready to ask them if they had the pleasure of opening their Monster books when she noticed Theo slipping through the door, his blue eyes fixed on her. She stuttered, standing abruptly enough to almost knock over Harry’s drink. He followed her gaze to where Theo stood and furrowed his eyebrows. “Hermione?”
“I-erm.” Theo had made his way to them now, and reached out to grab her hand, giving her a soft tug towards the door. She nodded, turning back to the boys. “Sorry, I have to go. I’ll see you on the train.” Waving over her shoulder, she followed him out hearing Ron’s whisper.
“Bloody hell, is that why she needed dresses? Is she dating a damn Death Eater’s son now!”
Her cheeks warmed and Theo’s hand gripped hers tighter as they slipped out the door.
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Draco was standing outside waiting, tossing a small ball in the air and his eyes flicked to their joined hands. Hermione squeezed Theo’s hand and released him, starting back towards the Dress Shop. Draco reached out and gripped her arm, nodding the opposite direction. He led her to a different shop–The Magical Menagerie Pet Shop. She raised her eyebrows and shuffled inside. Narcissa was fussing over Pansy who was holding a kitten and assuring her that there was no way her mother would allow her to bring it back home with her.
Hermione drifted from the group, eyeing an older orange cat. He was fluffy with a face that was slightly squashed, yet Hermione couldn’t help but think that he was the cutest creature in there. Remembering that they were allowed a pet, she scooped him up fully intent on bringing him back with her. Snape would have to deal. In all honesty, Snape and Lucius' reactions only made her want the thing more. Draco raised an eyebrow and Blaise stifled a chuckle and a grimace when she approached carrying the cat.
“Please don’t tell me that you’ve grown a soft spot for squash-faced gingers, Granger.” She wrinkled her nose at him, understanding just which Ginger he was referring to.
“No, definitely not.” She thought about the way that Ron had looked at her and the way he pulled her into a hug. “Although sadly this might not be the first one today who I realized has a soft-spot for me.”
Theo choked on the water that he was drinking, and Blaise clapped him on the back between the shoulderblades. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Well obviously the cat but I was referring to Ronald. He pulled me into a hug when I got there, which he has never done before.” She shrugged her shoulders. “Oh well, he must have just missed me over the summer.”
Draco sneered. “I’m sure that he did.”
“Merlin, Malfoy.” He wrinkled his nose at her.
“Why do you call all of them by their first names and I only get Malfoy?”
“Because you annoy me more than they do.” Blaise laughed.
“Well, Draco. You should be used to women preferring us to your presence by now anyways. I blame the complexion.” Blaise draped his arm over Hermione’s shoulders, and Draco glared at him.
“Zabini.” Hermione shuffled from Blaise’s arms and shook her head as she walked towards Narcissa.
“Hermione? What is that you have there?” Hermione smiled, scratching the cat behind his ears.
“This is Crookshanks. I believe he would be beneficial at the house, I’m almost positive that Snape has a mouse problem. Don’t you think Aunt Cissy?”
Her eyes sparkled, and Hermione watched a smile break out on her face. She was beautiful. “I couldn’t agree more darling.”
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Snape didn’t see her cat because they were taking the train to Hogwarts before she had a chance to see him. He had been distracted the last few days and she found herself missing his snarky comments and Potion questions. As usual, the Slytherin’s headed back to their compartment and left her behind to wait for Ron and Harry. They had gone to their usual one only to find a man sleeping there. She set Crookshanks down–who was hissing vehemently at the rat that Ronald was holding.
“Who is that?”
Hermione rolled her eyes. “Professor R. J. Lupin.”
Ron stared at her. “How do you know that?” She pointed to the man's luggage above him and Ron rolled his eyes. “That explains it. I knew that.”
They fell into easy conversation, and Hermione was about to ask Harry how he felt about the Sirius Black situation when the train suddenly jolted to a stop. The rain pattering outside echoed inside the empty cart. Whispers from students in the hallway drew her attention to the door. Ron had his hand pressed against the window, and she felt the temperature starting to drop, her breath coming out in a white burst from her lips.
“Bloody hell, I think that there’s something moving out there. Hermione! Look!”
Hermione wasn’t looking. Instead she focused on the strange empty feeling that was filling her, as if she was being drained completely of happiness. Her eyes widened when a black shadow fell on the hallway. She didn’t move, clinging onto Crookshanks who had scrambled onto her lap, staring at the hallway as well.
After a few seconds, a black cloaked figure came into view, tall and skeletal. It reeked of Death, when it’s bony hand wrapped around the compartment door, pulling it open. Its hood was bottomless, pitch black that seemed to go on forever. Hermione shivered, a foreboding feeling settling into her bones. The figure turned towards Harry, and she watched as he fell backwards–a strange wisp pulling from his face and into the cloaked figures. Her eyes widened and she screamed.
“Professor!” The man started, shooting from his seat and raising his wand. He mumbled something before stepping closer, a wisp of light shooting from the tip of his wand. Harry was breathing steadily, his eyes fluttering. The thing moved backwards into the hallway, and Hermione stared after it, before hearing another scream down the hallway.
It took her a moment to register the voice as Pansy’s. “Help! I need a Professor!”
Hermione scrambled to her feet and ignored Professor Lupin who was calling after her as she made her way down the hallway. Bursting into the Slytherin compartment, she found Theo passed out on the seat of their car. Draco was paler than usual, standing over him with concerned eyes. Blaise was next to him, supporting his head as he stroked his curls. Hermione made her way towards them, her eyes flitting over Theo’s form.
“What happened?” She realized that Lupin had followed after her as he spoke, causing Hermione to jump. The lights flickered on and she slipped beside Draco who hadn’t looked at her.
Pansy spoke first. “A cloaked–thing–”
“A Dementor came in here. It attacked Theo.” Draco’s voice was cold and detached and she wondered briefly how he could have known what it was. A conversation about Dementors guarding Azkhaban flitted to the front of her thoughts as she recalled a conversation with Lucius. Lupin turned to her, slipping a pack of chocolate from his coat and handing it to her.
“Give this to him when he wakes up, Hermione. I have to check on Harry then speak with the driver.” At the mention of her name, Draco’s head snapped up, his eyes scanning the cart until they landed on her next to him. She watched him sigh, his shoulders relaxing before tipping his eyes back to Theo.
“Thank you, Professor.” She ran her hand down Draco’s arm, before kneeling next to Theo. She noted that Draco wasn’t touching him, but Blaise was smoothing his hair almost soothingly. Hermione pressed her hand to Theo’s cheek, warming his cold skin and they waited. Faintly, she felt somebody pull on one of her curls and she smiled, wondering if Draco was reassuring her. After a moment, Theo’s blue eyes opened and he glanced around dazed. His eyes landed on Hermione, locked onto her eyes. “Theo, can you eat this for me?”
He murmured something and she leaned closer to him. “I never thought that I would see warmth in eyes that resembled my fathers.” She stilled, her hand trembling against his cheek. Theo reached out to tug one of her curls before pulling her hand gently from his cheek. She was too confused to decipher what he said properly and handed him a piece of chocolate that he munched on quietly, still staring at her.
She went to stand, and a pale hand came into her peripheral and she took it shakily. Draco was studying her with narrowed eyes and she attempted a reassuring smile. “So, there was a Dementor in your cart as well?”
“Yes. It attacked Harry too and he fainted.”
Draco’s eyes flitted over her face. “It only attacked Potter?”
She nodded her head, blinking at him and glanced over at Theo to find him petting Crookshanks. She rolled her eyes and leaned over to grab him. “I think he is an excellent judge of character.”
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The Grand Speech was dramatic as usual, warning the students about the Dementors that are guarding the entrance to Hogwarts. Draco, of course, was back to his usual self, mocking Harry while Hermione glared at him. The pleasant surprise wound up being Hagrid becoming the Care of Magical Creatures Professor.
Hermione was on her way to talk to Snape about her schedule–wondering if there was something wrong because there were so many classes when Professor McGonagall called to her, leading her to her office.
“I’m sure that you have questions about your schedule my dear. There is an explanation, but you don’t have to agree if you don’t want to.”
“Professor?”
“I spoke with the Ministry and the Headmaster about your classes. Now, you originally wanted to sign up for multiple classes and being that you are on the top of Marks in all of your classes, they were agreeable to allow you use of an object that would help you be able to go to more than one class.” Hermione sat up straighter, instantly interested. “I got approval for you to use a Time Turner, this would allow you the ability to attend all of your classes this year. I must say before you agree Ms. Granger–that this is to be used ONLY for classes. You are not to use it in whatever…unfortunate events that I am sure you, Potter and Weasley will get into.”
McGonagall gave her a stern look over her glasses and Hermione nodded, biting back a smile. “I appreciate this more than you know, the ability to attend all of the classes that I wanted to..it’s brilliant.”
“You’re very welcome. Now, let me show you how to work it.” Hermione stared at Professor Mcgonagall showed her just how to turn it, what time and the best and easiest way to wear it where it was accessible. “Now, another thing. You cannot be caught by yourself. Even if you already know what you’re doing, the past you cannot know anything about the future. Timelines are very delicate things that even the smallest ripple can affect.”
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Hermione rolled her eyes as they made their way down the hill towards Hagrid’s hut. It was a beautiful day and she shrugged off her robes, leaving her in just the plain white t-shirt, tie and skirt. Divination was an absolute joke, and she debated about dropping the class entirely if it weren’t for the fact that she enjoyed being able to learn. “Honestly, ridiculous. I cannot understand that class. Transfiguration makes more sense than Divination.”
“Mione’ aren’t Transfiguration and Divination at the same time?” Hermione ignored him, instead went on to mock Trelawney.
The group was rather large and Hermione pulled out her Monster Book, glaring at it as it eyed her cautiously. “Don’t even think about it or else I’ll jump on you again.”
“Losing your mind, Granger?” Blaise was smiling at her, staring cautiously at his Monster Book.
“Wait until that thing tries to eat you and you’ll be threatening it too.” Hermione set it on a nearby log and heard Draco ask about how to open it as well.
“Stroke the spine obviously.” Hagrid’s matter-of-fact answer had her smiling. She was most excited for this class than any others she was taking today. Theo came up next to her, smiling softly and Hermione smiled back at him.
She felt somebody yank her back slightly and she frowned, spinning around to find Ron glaring at Theo. “We don’t associate with Slytherins.”
Hermione narrowed her eyes. “Actually, you do. Considering I’m Unsorted I am technically ALL of the houses, Ronald.” She yanked her arm out of Ron’s grasp just when Theo came up next to her, glaring daggers at the red-haired boy. “Besides, I wasn’t aware that you decided who I was allowed to talk to.”
Harry stepped forwards, his hand resting on Ron’s shoulder as he pulled him back. Ron was red–more than usual–his face and ears almost the same color as his hair and Harry threw an apologizing glance towards her. She busied herself with setting her things down, and adjusting her tie, tucking the time turner under her shirt. It was cold against her heated skin. “Does he yank you around like that often?”
She still was getting used to Theo’s voice. He didn’t speak often enough for her to be fully accustomed to it. “No. Not all the time, but enough for me to be used to by now. Him and his bloody temper.” Her arm was still sore when he had grabbed her and she wondered for a moment if it would bruise.
“If he touches you like that again I won’t apologize for hexing him. Neither will Draco. He just keeps giving us reasons.”
What was that supposed to mean? She chanced a glance at Draco who was glaring at Ron, his jaw ticking. She decided that she would check for a bruise later. “It’s alright. I don’t think that he’s intentionally trying to hurt me.”
Theo’s eyes met hers, darker than normal and intense. “It doesn’t matter, Granger. If he touches you like that again I won’t hesitate to hex him. He’s lucky if you wind up not bruising from the grip that he had on your arm. You’re not a damn doll, and he would be lucky to remember that.”
She was going to reply, but Hagrid called everybody’s attention and she turned around to find a massive creature behind him. Startled, she stepped back, bumping into Theo.
It was huge, white in color with golden eyes that were studying all of them intently. The front half looked like an eagle, wings resting against its side. The front legs had sharp talons and the back resembled a horse, with hooves and a tail. It had a long sharp beak that caught the dead ferret that Hagrid threw with ease. It was beautiful, in a deadly intimidating kind of way.
“This is a Hippogriff! Mighty creatures, but you wouldn’t want to offend one! They’re terribly proud.” Draco threw another ferret at it. “His name is Buckbeak. Who wants to pet him?”
Simultaneously the whole class shuffled back. Harry, being at the front didn’t even notice and just as he looked behind him Hagrid called him forwards. “Harry! Atta-boy. Come on then. He doesn’t bite. Well, he won’t anyways.”
Harry stepped forwards hesitantly and Hermione froze. Buckbeak was staring at him. “Alright, you have to bow, let him say it’s okay to come towards him.” Harry did, dipping low and Hermione turned her head into Theo’s shoulder, scared to watch. After a moment, Theo nudged her and she turned back towards the scene. Harry was approaching it now, hand stretched out and Buckbeak squawked, dragging his talon through the dirt. Her hand reached down and gripped tightly onto Theo’s. “Slowly, there you go.”
Harry pressed his hand to Buckbeak’s nose and let out a nervous laugh. Hermione let out a breath she didn’t realize she was holding and clapped along with the rest of the class–well, most of the class. But when Hagrid lifted Harry up and placed him on Buckbeak's back she let out a squeal. Buckbeak took off, spreading his wings as he flew above them.
“Did he just put him on that bloody bird?” Ron whispered and she was vaguely aware that he had come up next to her again, on her left side. Theo was on her right, tense and glaring. Her eyes scanned the crowd, and she noticed that Draco was leaning against a tree, glaring at Ron.
“Yes, Ronald. It seems that he did.” Theo snorted next to her and Ron threw him a look. “Are you here to apologize?”
“A-for what?”
“Maybe for yanking her around like a damn doll for starters.” Theo’s voice was low and deadly, his eyes fixed on the sky as though looking at Ron wasn’t worth his time. Ron’s ears went red and he narrowed his eyes.
“Mione’, you can’t be serious.”
Theo winced, making a face. “She wasn’t the one who said it. I did. And I promise you, I am entirely too serious about it.”
“Tell your boyfriend-”
“He’s not my boyfriend, Ronald. He’s my friend and honestly he’s right. Now, if you’ll excuse me, you don’t associate with Slytherins and I happen to partly be one. Unless you’re going to apologize I recommend not talking to me until then.” She made a move to step away, tugging on Theo’s robes and Ron reached out to grab her arm again.
Theo stepped forward, pointing his wand into Ron’s throat. “Take. Your. Hand. Off. Now.” Every word was punctuated with so much precise venom that Hermione instantly felt Ron’s hand slide from her arm. She was vaguely aware that Buckbeak had landed again and Harry had slipped off, making his way through the crowd towards them. They were right in front of where Buckbeak was and Hermione felt her heart in her throat. Theo leaned towards Ron, whispering low enough for only the three of them to hear. “You made a comment about me being a Death Eater's son. Touch her again like that and I would be inclined to show you a few things I’ve learned.”
Ron’s eyes widened as Theo removed his wand, placing it back in the holster just as Harry was slipping next to Ron. Theo went to step away just as Ron lunged at him, a fist landing against Theo’s jaw. Hermione squealed, and felt two arms wrap around her middle, pulling her away from the now brawling boys. Blaise was behind her, holding her against his chest and Draco tackled Ron off of Theo. She watched as they all wrestled, Crab and Goyle pulling Harry away roughly as he tried to restrain Theo. Hermione bucked against Blaise’s hold.
“Granger, calm the hell down. This was all over Ron holding you too tight, you don’t want to see what might happen if one of them accidentally throws a punch at you.” Hermione stilled, watching as Hagrid made his way through. Buckbeak was getting anxious, squawking just behind the throng of students that were starting to form. Just as she was going to tear her eyes away from Draco she watched Ron elbow him and he tumbled backwards right in front of Buckbeak.
Buckbeak lifted his legs, landing on Draco’s arm as she watched his sleeve tear and a moment later blood stain the white shirt underneath his robes. Blaise’s grip on her loosened and she scrambled forward, helping Theo up as Hagrid backed Buckbeak up. “Hagrid! He has to go to Madam Pomfrey.”
Draco was muttering under his breath and she already knew that the poor creature was more than likely going to be killed for laying a talon on him. Even by accident. Guilt rolled in her stomach as she scrambled to collect her things, a trail of Slytherins following after her as she hurried after Hagrid.
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“Madam Pomfrey said that if I was a minute later, I could've lost my arm.” Hermione rolled her eyes. Draco was lying it on extra thick and Pansy was simpering over him, her lashes fluttering as her hand rested on his. He was in a sling–one that Hermione doubted he even needed and she narrowed her eyes at him. Theo’s hand rested on hers and he shook his head at her.
She had sat at the Slytherin table today, causing a few glares in her direction but nobody bothered to say anything once Theo slid onto the bench next to her. Unfortunately, not wanting to deal with Ron made it so that she was now watching Pansy simper over Draco. She wondered for a moment if dealing with Ron would be better and chanced a glance over to their table.
“Don’t even think about it.” Theo was sporting a nice bruise on his chin and Hermione winced when she saw it.
“I’m sorry about that.” She motioned to his jaw and he narrowed his eyes at her.
“What are you saying sorry about?”
“Well, all of it. All of this was my fault. None of you would’ve been hurt if I just would’ve gone with him in the first place. Should’ve kept my mouth shut about it.” Theo was glaring at her and behind him Blaise had shared in the expression “What?!”
“Don’t ever diminish your worth to meet the standards of those around you, Granger.” Theo set his fork down against his plate, now glaring over at Weasley. She followed his line of sight and noticed that Draco was staring at the table, his jaw clenched. “I’ll sport a bruise any day if it means reminding Weasley to keep his hands to himself.” He turned towards her, his eyes narrowed. “Speaking of which.” He stared at her forearm and she shoved it under the table.
“It’s fine, Theo. No bruising.”
“No wonder you don’t have a set house. Absolutely terrible liar you are.” Blaise stabbed a piece of broccoli and raised an accusatory brow at her. She scoffed.
“He was spotted!” Seamus’s voice had her turning back towards the Gryffindor table with curiosity. “Sirius was spotted near Dovetown!”
Hermione glanced across the table at Draco–who was staring at her arm tucked under the table. His gray eyes met hers and she gasped at the molten silver that stared back. “I have to get to class.” She scrambled, grabbing her books and made her way out of the Great Hall. Slipping into a broom closet, she yanked her sleeve up, staring at the finger marks bruised into her skin. She slumped her head back, resting it against the wall.
This entire year was going to be worse than last. She could feel it. Her mind slid to her library as she made her way to Charms class.